AN ADVENTURE

Southland Times, Issue 23793, 15 April 1939, Page 5 (Supplement)

AN ADVENTURE

—PRIZE— It was a beautiful morning. The sun shone high up in the azure sky and caused the water in the cove far below to glisten and gleam. The dampness of the dewy morning gave the undergrowth a rich bushy smell, as the two boys, Bill and Joe, hurried down the steep winding bush track to the edge of the cove. The boys were whistling merrily and their faithful terrier, Bob, followed at their heels. On their backs they carried haversacks containing their lunch. Joe and Bill had looked forward to this day for a long time, and now that it had arrived, their hearts overflowed with joy. , ~ . On reaching the shore of the cove. Bill loosened the dinghy, which they had hired for the day, while Joe went for the oars. Soon they were comfortably seated in the dinghy, and with an oar each, they glided across the cove. Poor old Bob, whom they had refused to take, sat down to guard the lunch. The boys did not go for a long row in the morning, as they intended to row to the opposite shore after dinner to explore the caves, so they turned the dinghy homewards and rowed packed tke remaining contents of the haversacks and put them in the dinghy. Bob, determined not to be left behind this time, jumped in too. When all were seated, they set off on their journey to the caves. It was about a mile to the opposite shore, but Joe and Bill were skilful oarsmen, and soon they arrived safely right opposite the mouth of the cave. Although there were many tales that robbers once lived in the cave their spirits were not daunted. The boys procuring their torches, began to explore the cave, while Bob followed excitedly, wagging his tail. The light of the torches showed many passages, but one especially caught their eyes, for at the entrance, scratched on the wall was the notice, Beware! Do not take this path. “What an unusual notice,” remarked Bill. Lets follow it. Joe agreed and although he was feeling nervous, he would not admit it silently along the passage they came to ax trap-door, through which the three went. What a sight met their eyes! A rusty hammer and old bags were strewn about and on the centre of the floor was a small square box. Joe immediately tried to raise the lid, but it was nailed. He shook it, and found it was heavy. . “It's gold!” he exclaimed excitedly. After much banging and hammering with the rusty hammer, they succeeded in raising the lid, -and .jjjey tipped the contents of the box into a bag, and hurried down the passage, out of the cave. Many people had visited the cave before, but because of the warning notice dared go no further. ' The sun was setting when once more they landed at the otner shore.' After tying the dinghy securely, they wended their way homeW This time the boys whistled again, But for another reason, and the faithful Bob trotted along behind, with the bag of treasure in his mouth.

—Prize of 1/6 to Cousin Nita Hall, V.A.C. (14), Dipton R.D.

—PRIZE—

David, Jack and Phyllis started off with their little sledge. Snow had been falling for some time, and now, though it had the ground was covered. Phyllis enjoyed herself ever so much, and David didn’t mind a bit when he tumbled off the sledge. It was great fun skimming along over the hard snow, and Phyllis was sorry to think of turning back after they had done their shopping. “Why should we go home so soon? cried Jack as he came out of the Post Office. “Auntie did not know that we should be so quick upftint? there. Let’s go on a little farther. ' S “She said to turn back when we’d been to the Post Office, objected David. , , - , “Yes she did,” said Jack. “I suppose we shall have to do it, said David. Suddenly Jack thought of an idea. “Why should we go the same way home? We could go by the pond. We would have a much longer walk but we would be going home.” David and Phyllis agreed because they wanted to stay out longer, but they knew perfectly well it was not right. However, they had not gone far when it began to snow. “Are you quite sure we are going the right way? asked Phyllis, after a time “I don’t seem to remember that wood over there. “Just what I was thinking,” said Jack. “It’s impossible to see where the track is in all this snow. I’m afraid we’ve missed our way. They stumbled along in silence for a few moments, and then he added, “You will have to walk Phyllis, the sledge keeps sinking. On and on they went, while faster and faster fell the snow, and at last realizing they were quite lost, Phyllis burst into tears. at f ar ther,” she sobbed. “My legs ache dreadfully. I must sit down and rest.” ' “No you mustn’t,” cried David. “That’s the way people get frozen to death. I’ve often read about it. If you can’t walk any more Jack and I will carry you.” ’ So leaving their precious sledge under a hedge they made her a “bandy chair” It began to get dark, the snow fell faster still, and to make matters worse, they found that “Rough” their dog, who had been with them, had disappeared!

“He’s lost,” sobbed Phyllis. “Oh dear, suppose he is frozen to death ’“Of course he won’t,” said David. “You really must not cry like tllat Then, just when they were so tired they could scare and it was almost dark, they heard voices and uncle and the gardener, who had come to look for them, appeared. “How did uncle know which way to come? asked Phyllis, some time later as auntie tucked her in bed. . “Rough came running in and looked very worried, and kept try ing to make us follow him,” auntie told her. . T , “Oh how clever of him!” cried Phyllis. “He didn t reach the North Pole but ’he made uncle find us, and I cannot think what we would have done if he hadn’t! He ought to have a medal! - They told auntie how sorry they were for going the longest way round, and she forgave them at once, for they had had such a fright. And the boys bought “Rough” a medal to hang on his collar the next da —Prize of 1/6 to Cousin Pearl Taylor (12), Mokotua, Section 7, Otara R.D.

—HIGHLY COMMENDED—

“Oh John!” cried Betty, who had been reading the paper, “Lady Anderson has had her gold necklace stolen, and there is £lOO reward for its recovery. Do you think we could find it?” “We’ll try, anyway,” answered John. They ate their dinner in silence and were wondering what to do, when Betty had an idea. “I know,” she said, “let’s go down to that old hut on the moor. We have never been there yet.” “That’s a good idea, we’ll go now.” When they arrived at the hut, which was an old wooden building almost falling down, they found that

it was so dark inside that they could .not see a foot in front of themselves. Luckily John had brought his torch with him and as he flashed it oh, they saw an old brick floor, while at one end of the hut there was a fireplace. At the other end there was a bench which made a seat for them

After they had had a rest, John was going out again when he slipped. When he slipped, the brick on which he had been standing moved enough to show something sparkling underneath. When John removed this brick they saw Lady Anderson’s necklace. Just at that moment two policemen ran in. They had caught the thief, who had confessed that the necklace was hidden in the hut. John and Betty were given the reward, for if John had not slipped the policemen might not have found the necklace. —2 marks to Cousin Cora Pedlar (12), 169 St. Andrew street. —HIGHLY COMMENDED— One morning a girl called Joan felt that she did not want to go down tc the beach with her sisters, but she wanted to have an adventure, alone.

She walked along the sandy beach and to her surprise noticed some caves just around the bend. On arriving at the entrance to the cave, she found herself walking slowly down steps in a rickety passage. After walking for about 10 or 12 minutes, Joan found herself staring upon an old wooden bench on which stood and lay dozens of little parcels. She did not know whether to

open them or not, but when she did she found pearls, rubies and diamonds.

In another moment, she was aware of voices coming from another room. She started running up the steps, for fear of being caught by the robbers. —2 marks to Cousin Daphne Todd (13), comer Elies road and Vernon street. ■ V I " —HIGHLY COMMENDED— Molly and Peter, with their fairy friend Chinky, decided to go with Santa Claus and help him th give the toys to all the good little boys, girls and babies. On Christmas night they waited till Santa Claus called at their house, and luckily for them, he called at their house first. . He did not want them to come with him, but when they told him of the lovely wishing chair they had, he let them come. Molly Was so excited at going on an adventure with Santa Claus, and seeing all her friends. The wishing chair rose high into the air out of doors. The first house they arrived at was that of Fanny and Tommy Dawson.; Sajnta said they were good children, so he sent Peter down the chimney to give them a lot of toys. Molly and Chinky flew down in the wishing chair and watched Peter filling the good children’s stockings. The next house belonged to two big boys, and Peter said they were very good boys and he liked them, so Santa sent Molly down the chimney to give them a lot of toys; They went to a lot more homes and enjoyed themselves very much. . Wouldn’t you have liked to be with them? I hope you like my story. —2 marks to Cousin Patricia Hynes (10), 13 Halton street, Gore.

—HIGHLY COMMENDED—

One day Jim , and his friend decided to sail out to the little island about a mile out to sea. When they reached the island they beached their boat. While they were gathering eggs the tide carried their boat away. They lit a fire and put green branches on it. Jim’s father saw the smoke and came out in his motor-boat. Soon they were at home having a good hot meal.

—2 marks to Cousin Alan Lake VAC., M.A., (11), Section 8, Glencoe R.D.